Since 2000
Over $17 million distributed in grants to nonprofit organizations and churches.
Our People
Barbara Wetsig-Lynam, President & CEO
Barbara Wetsig-Lynam brings over 25 years of local, state, national, and international experience in nonprofit leadership to the Community Foundation of Burke County. She most recently served as Executive Director of the Western North Carolina Journalism Foundation after relocating to Morganton in 2022. Throughout her career, she has focused on strengthening organizational capacity, developing innovative partnerships, and ensuring resources are directed to the areas of greatest need. Wetsig-Lynam holds an MBA with a specialization in Nonprofit Management from the University of Geneva, Switzerland, and a BA in Public Policy Studies and French from Duke University. Her extensive experience and commitment to community position her to build upon the foundation’s rich history of being a catalyst for positive change in Burke County.
Pashence Johnson-Sparks, Finance Director
Pashence brings years of financial and business acumen to the table and is eager to assist the donors of the foundation in achieving their desired goals. She holds two degrees from Lenoir-Rhyne University: a Bachelor of Science as well as a Master of Business Administration. Expanding upon her love of learning, she later pursued a certificate from CVCC in general accounting to further increase her knowledge in that field. Pashence has held a variety of roles within finance, business, and accounting, ranging from Financial Analyst to operational based roles, such as an Executive Director and Regional Director, and onto more strategic roles as a recent CFO of a community health clinic. As a mother of younger children and a native to the Unifour area, Pashence believes strong attention to philanthropy will assist the community in growth and sustainability and is integral to ensuring a thriving environment for the future.
Aubrey Robbie, Grants & Scholarship Manager
Aubrey graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Auburn University in 2018. She began her career as a Middle School Health Teacher in Jacksonville, FL, before joining United Way Emerald Coast, where she quickly advanced to the leadership team as the Director of Impact. In this role, Aubrey spearheaded the development and implementation of innovative strategies to drive meaningful improvements in health, education, and financial stability. She collaborated closely with local nonprofit partners to enhance their capacity and sustainability while fostering strong community partnerships. While at United Way Emerald Coast, she was recognized as a 40 Under 40 Honoree and graduated from Leadership Okaloosa, Leadership Walton, Leadership TEN, and Passport to Leadership. Having grown up in Avery County, Aubrey is excited to come back to North Carolina and bring her passion for nonprofit work and her dedication to the Morganton community to the Community Foundation of Burke County.
National Standards
The Community Foundation of Burke County has been recognized for having organizational and financial practices that are in accordance with the National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations. In 2000, The Council on Foundations (www.cof.org) and leaders in the community foundation field created National Standards to establish legal, ethical, and effective operational practices that would show community foundations' transparency and financial responsibility in the light of increased public scrutiny of foundation practices.